PICTURE: Group photo of Volunteers, Staff, Trustees and other guests at Paul Sartori Summer High Tea Volunteer Celebration and Awards
Volunteers from Paul Sartori Hospice at Home recently attended a Summer High Tea Volunteer Celebration and Awards event held for them at Crundale Village Hall near Haverfordwest. The local charity organised this event to celebrate the amazing contribution that 430 volunteers make to the organisation and to highlight outstanding achievements by individuals. Volunteers are the backbone of Paul Sartori and help them to deliver the vital hospice at home service in the county.
Volunteering opportunities are varied enabling the local community from many walks of life to become involved in the charity; helping in their shops; at events; administration and within certain clinical services to name a few of the roles. The charity is also proud of the Trustee Board, made up of 10 volunteers, who assist with ensuring the charity is managed correctly.
Phil Thompson MBE, Chair of the Trustees highlighted, “We are so very lucky to be one of the most volunteer-rich and well-supported organisations in Pembrokeshire. We wanted to say thank you to all our volunteers and to give them a wonderful tea party and award ceremony!” Phil added, “We could not deliver the end of life care in Pembrokeshire without them.”
Volunteers enjoyed the delightful “Tea Party” and the Award Ceremony held on their behalf, which comprised of presentations given to individual volunteers who received various certificates. Special awards were presented to Winners of specific categories, who were nominated and judged in the week leading up to the event. These Winners were awarded a glass Trophy and a framed certificate for the Young Volunteer Award category (under 25), the Volunteer Award category (over 25) and the Personal Impact Award category.
The Young Volunteer Award (under 25), sponsored and awarded by Peter Walker from Tour of Pembrokeshire, was awarded to Josh Miles for his contribution in the Pembroke Dock shop for being an enthusiastic volunteer and an inspiration to others. The Volunteer Award (over 25) category, sponsored by Dave Evans also Trustee from Paul Sartori, was given by Toby Ellis from Pure West Radio (current Charity Partner) and awarded to Maggie John Volunteer Supervisor at the Neyland shop for her commitment, great community following and her attention to window displays. Finally, the Personal Impact Award, where volunteering has made a difference to the individual, sponsored by Phil Thompson MBE and presented by Ros Raymond Trustee and Chair of Volunteer Management Committee, was given to Val Harrold who assists with events throughout the county and administration at their head office.
Length of Service certificates were also presented to many volunteers helping in different areas of the charity. Phil Thompson MBE, presented the 5 year; Pat Coombs Clinical Coordinator and Equipment Facilitator at Paul Sartori presented the 10 year; Lynne Hunter Management RN at Paul Sartori presented the 15 year, and finally Sandra Dade Charity Manager at Paul Sartori presented the 20 year certificate.
Sandra Dade, Charity Manager of Paul Sartori commented, “We are so immensely proud of all our volunteers and for their time and dedication that they give to Paul Sartori. We hope this Award ceremony will go from strength to strength and will continue to highlight the incredible work of individuals, groups and communities that we are so very proud to be associated with an give so much to the charity.”
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service provides a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training.
The services provided by the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service enable people in the later stages of any life limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear if that is their wish. Services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the kind generosity of the Pembrokeshire Community. Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.